Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Flashcards Preview

Charis & Ellie vs MSK part 1 > Carpal Tunnel Syndrome > Flashcards

Flashcards in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Deck (17)
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1
Q

What is the carpal tunnel?

A

Carpal bones

Flexor retinaculum

2
Q

Which nerve passes through the carpal tunnel?

A

Median nerve & 9 flexor tendons to 4 digits

3
Q

What would swelling indicate in carpal tunnel syndrome?

A

Median nerve compression

4
Q

Aetiology of most cases of carpal tunnel?

A

Idiopathic

5
Q

What can carpal tunnel be secondary to?

A

Rheumatoid arthritis

6
Q

What type of conditions can result in carpal tunnel syndrome?

A

Conditions resulting in fluid retention

  • Pregnancy
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Hypothyroidism
7
Q

What type of fracture can causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

A

Fractures around the wrist

-Colles fracture

8
Q

Which gender is more likely to have CarpalTS?

A

Females

8:1 ratio

9
Q

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

A
  • Paraesthesia in the median nerve innervated digits (thumb & radial 2.5 fingers)
  • Loss of sensation & weakness of thumb
  • Clumsiness in areas of the hand supplied by the median nerve
10
Q

Signs of carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

A
  • Demonstratable loss of sensation and/or muscle wasting of the thenar eminence
  • Tinel’s test
  • Phalen’s test
11
Q

What is Tinel’s test?

A

Percussing over median nerve

12
Q

What is phalen’s test?

A

Holding the wrist hyper-flexed (decreases space in the carpal tunnel)

13
Q

Investigations for carpal tunnel syndrome?

A

Nerve conduction studies - slowing of conduction across the wrist

14
Q

Non-operative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome?

A

-Wrist splints at night to prevent flexion & corticosteroid injection

15
Q

Surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome?

A

-Carpal tunnel decompression

16
Q

What is involved in carpal tunnel decompression?

A

-Division of the transverse carpal ligament under local anaesthetic

17
Q

Risk of carpal tunnel decompression?

A

Risk of damage to median nerve/branches

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